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A century of winning.
Join us as we reflect on one hundred years of innovation in pari-mutuel betting technology.
Our history
1908
Sir George Julius invented a mechanical machine to accurately tabulate race odds and later named his invention the "totalisator."
1913
The first such totalisator was installed at Ellerslie Racecourse in Australia.
Test Laboratory, Automatic Totalisators Ltd.
Sydney, Australia
Factory, Automatic Totalisators Ltd.
Sydney, Australia
1917
Sir George Julius founded Automatic Totalisators Limited (or ATL) to build, install, and operate his totalisator system and we were off to the races!
1927
Automatic Totalisators Limited grew rapidly. The mechanical style machine was redesigned to automatically calculate odds.
Typical machine frame fully assembled but without machine cover which completely encloses all the mechanism. Plate glass observation windows are placed directly in front of adding units.
Gear Box unit for adjusting Government percentage deductions and split of pool, etc. Front view.
Typical main control switchboard located in the machine room.
Typical control switchboard located in power house.
Typical Sell and Pay buildings with low pitched roof to allow visibility across track.
1932
The installation of an Automatic Totalisators Limited system was completed in the United States at Hialeah under a franchise of the company.
1945
Eighty-three systems were in place at racetracks in Australasia, Europe, Africa, and North America.
Single stack Win and Place Ticket Issuing machine. Fully self-contained and completely portable.
Method of locating ticket issuing machine in selling bench. Each window is a complete unit with cash tray and cashier’s bench.
Two stake ticket issuing machine. Note: That the money value on the higher valued ticket is automatically reversed in the issuing operation. The issuing machine resets itself to the lower value automatically.
Win Place Double ticket issuing machine. Note: That the money value on the “Double” ticket is automatically reversed in the issuing operation.
Distributor and control panel. Each unit will accommodate 48 ticket issuing machines.
Win and Place Odds Indicator. Projection Type — indicating odds of 9 to 4 against. Suitable for indoor sub-stations or night racing or trotting.
“American” type adding unit. The model shown will accommodate 320 ticket issuing machines and will record bets at the rate of 1000 every three seconds.
Two shaft adding unit with capacity of up to 160 ticket issuing machines. This unit is fully portable. View from clutch drive end.
Two shaft adding unit mounted in machine frame. Note: This unit can be replaced in 15 seconds.
“Two-shaft” adding unit with odds calculator and relay unit. The odds are automatically calculated and transmitted instantaneously to the odds indicators.
Two stake ticket issuing machine showing method of location in bench, cash tray, cashier’s bench, etc.
“Visi-Tel” two-way tele-communicator. Messages in the handwriting of the sender are immediately transmitted to any number of points over any required distance. Two-way voice communication is provided on the same unit.
1950s
In 1950 The Automatic Totalisators Limited U.S. Operations business offices were located in New York City and mobile totalisators were operating on circuits in three states. By 1954 Automatic Totalisators Limited U.S. Operations began to expand rapidly and offices were established in Delaware, where the company's warehouses had been located since 1951 and engineering offices since 1954.
1960s
In 1964 the world’s first computerized totalisator system was developed. All U.S. company offices were consolidated in Delaware where the first computerized totalisator system for the New York Racing Association (NYRA) was assembled, tested, and installed in 1965.
The computerized totalisator system at NYRA marked the beginning of a new era of sophistication in tote services.
Computer tote room in Aqueduct Racetrack
Computer tote room in Aqueduct Racetrack
Computer tote room in Aqueduct Racetrack
Playing the numbers in Massachusetts in late 1977 with the first on-line slip reading lottery terminal, Autotote’s J-25.
Close up view of the J-25 terminal with slip.
The establishment of Autotote Systems, Inc. was described at the time as offering independence and greater financial resources.
1970s
In the 1970s a succession of new technologies were introduced including an off-line daily numbers lottery system and the first intelligent terminal using betting slip readers. In 1979, Autotote Systems, Inc. was formed to acquire Autotote Ltd. from Automatic Totalisators of Australia. The new company had 60 customers in the United States and was aggressively pursuing international markets.
1980s
In 1980, the AutoTrak® fully automated sell/cash system first announced in 1978 begins to be implemented at racetracks all over the world. Soon after, Autotote introduces what will turn out to be just the first step in interactive betting, the PhoneBet system, followed by the first-of-its-kind touchscreen self-service betting terminal, the SAM.
AutoTrack® II terminal
Operations tote room oversees AutoTrak® operations.
This live-operator betting service helped extend betting opportunities to people when they weren’t able to make it to the track or OTB.
Patrons and tracks alike were turning to technology to help reduce the long lines at teller windows. Autotote met the demand with the SAM full-color, touch screen terminal.
Exterior of Sports Haven in New Haven, 1994
Sports Haven Dugout Bar, 1994
The Probe® terminal introduced the alternative teller / self-service terminal model.
The Probe® XLC was the first combination video slot / pari-mutuel race betting terminal featuring picture-in-picture capability.
1990s
In the 1990s, Autotote purchased the Connecticut Off-Track Betting System, which continues to this day to be a key pillar of the company’s holdings, with a growing network of off-track betting venues and a robust phone, internet, and mobile betting service. The company continued the its tradition of innovation, introducing a game-changer in the form of the Probe® terminal, which could be used alternatively as a teller terminal or as a touch screen self-service terminal, as well as the Probe® XLC combination video slot / pari-mutuel terminal.
Early 21st Century
Autotote enters the 21st century as the world’s leading provider of computerized wagering systems and communications services to the racing industry, with services that include tote technology, satellite transmission, and facilities management, among others. At this time the company also undergoes a major change after merging with lottery giant Scientific Games.
Tote operations room
Communications control room
Simulcasting services control room
Autotote is rebranded Scientific Games Racing
2001 sees the launch of the first white label betting website, forming the foundation for today’s robust white label internet and mobile betting Solutions.
In 2006, the company opens the first Quantum™ Data Center, which today forms the heart of the company’s global service delivery network and gateway to global commingling.
Also in 2006, the company introduces the BetJet® Series of betting terminals for teller and self-service betting.
2000s
In the first decade of the 21st Century, the company launched its first betting website and helped customers achieve new records in self-service betting with the BetJet® Series of terminals. The company also introduced Quantum™ System, which today powers over $11 billion in betting annually for customers that span the globe, and established three Quantum™ Data Centers in the USA and Europe.
2010
With the acquisition of the former Autotote racing businesses by Sportech PLC, the company is transformed to the present-day Sportech.
2010 - Present
Sportech continues to invest in technology, infrastructure and talent. We’ve expanded into charitable raffles, enhanced our lottery capabilities, increased our global footprint, and strengthened our digital technologies. We affirm our commitment to continually evolving our solution and investing in the technologies and services that will help keep our clients around the world ahead of the action.
Sportech takes a digital-first approach across its businesses with white label web and mobile platforms that deliver a winning experience on track or off.
Our Quantum™ System software is continually enhanced for its worldwide client base. Together with a modern service delivery network, Sportech technology powers some of the world’s biggest race days.
Sportech continues to innovate in betting device software and hardware, providing options for teller ePOS betting, roaming teller betting and a range of self-service options.
In 2019, Sportech significantly expanded its lottery offerings, acquiring a cloud-based digital lottery platform with over 200 different lottery games, unique content, and robust management systems.
Acquired in 2014, Sportech’s Bump 50:50 is the rapidly growing provider of innovative fundraising raffles to foundations associated with some of North America’s biggest pro sports teams and charitable organizations.
Sportech creates amazing experiences for guests of our betting venues in Connecticut. Featuring two Bobby V’s Restaurant and Sports Bar locations, our venues are designed to deliver maximum enjoyment for betting and watching sports.